Legislation barring overseas care workers from bringing family to UK goes into effect

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) — A legal move in Britain restricting overseas care workers from bringing dependents into the country has come into force, the government announced Monday.

"New rules to radically cut net migration and tackle visa abuse are now in force as part of the government's plan to bring down unsustainable levels of legal migration," the Home Office said in a statement.

From now on, care workers will be barred from bringing dependents with them, after a disproportionate 120,000 accompanied 100,000 workers into the country last year.

"Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) — the industry regulator for Health and Social Care — in order to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector," it added.

The government noted that it has been clear that roles should only be included where they are skilled and in shortage, and that no sector should be "permanently reliant on immigration."

"Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers," said Home Secretary James Cleverly.